Laguna Beach, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Laguna Beach is a small city in California with a population of 22,777. Residents earn $140,508 per year, which is 87% above the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
22,777 Population 2,559/sq mi density
$140,508 Median Income $110,736 per capita
$2,000,001 Home Value $2,900,365 Zillow
$2,802 Median Rent
63°F Avg Temperature
274 Violent Crime/100K 1,977 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.8 / 5.0
$140,508 median income, 3.4% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.0 / 5.0
$2,000,001 home value, $2,802/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
274 violent crimes/100K (28% below avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
67.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $140,508
87% higher than US avg
Home Value $2,000,001
609% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 274/100K
28% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 67.1%
99% higher than US avg
Median Rent $2,802
141% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 22.9%
29% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.4%
6% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.1%
83% lower than US avg

How Laguna Beach Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population22,777
Median Age52.3 yrs
Density2,559/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 84%

Economy

A+
Median Income$140,508
Per Capita$110,736
Unemployment3.4%
Poverty2.1%
County GDP$351,753M
Commute28 min

Housing

F
Home Value$2,000,001
Rent$2,802
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$2,900,365

Crime

F
Violent274/100K
Property1,977/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault227/100K
Burglary419/100K

Health

Obesity22.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.8%
Heart Disease4.2%

Climate

Avg Temp63°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain12.7 in/yr
Elevation514 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+67.1%
High School+97.4%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 47% / D 50%
Commute28 min
EV Stations14
Libraries67

Is Laguna Beach a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Laguna Beach receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Laguna Beach offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Laguna Beach is $140,508, which is significantly higher than the national average — 87% above $75,149. This places Laguna Beach among higher-income communities. Unemployment stands at 3.4%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 2.1% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Laguna Beach is $2,000,001, making it a premium housing market at 609% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $2,802 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 14.2x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Laguna Beach is below the national average at 274 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,977 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

Laguna Beach is a highly educated community — 67.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 97.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Laguna Beach enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F. Winters average 56°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 12.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Laguna Beach has a population of 22,777 with a density of 2,559 people per square mile. The median age is 52.3 years, 34% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (84%).

Population

22,777
Total Population
2,559
People / sq mi
52.3yrs
Median Age
34% above US avg
8.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.4%
Female 48.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Laguna Beach vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only87.8%
12% above US avg
Spanish12.2%
9% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Laguna Beach vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Laguna Beach is $140,508, which is 87% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Laguna Beach vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$140,508
87% above US avg
Per Capita Income$110,736
Avg Weekly Wage$1,565
IRS Avg AGI$116,511

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.4%
6% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.1%
83% below US avg
Establishments (County)148,394
County GDP$351,753M

Business (County)

Restaurants8,853
Healthcare13,951
Retail9,811
Manufacturing4,357

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$10,097
188% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.50%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.3 min
Work from Home33.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Laguna Beach is $2,000,001, 609% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $2,802 (141% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $2,900,365.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$2,000,001
609% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$2,900,365
Median List Price$3,572,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$3,572,500
$/Sq Ft$1,500
Homes Sold18
Sale-to-List Ratio95.7%
Price Drops16.1%
Inventory137

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$2,802
141% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$5,004

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,513
1 Bedroom$1,647
2 Bedrooms$2,053
3 Bedrooms$2,752
4 Bedrooms$3,165

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied64.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,097
188% above US avg
Effective Rate0.50%
In Laguna Beach, 22.9% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 22.8% report depression. 15.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Laguna Beach vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity22.9%
29% below US avg
Diabetes7.0%
Heart Disease4.2%
High Blood Pressure24.2%
Asthma9.8%
COPD3.6%
Stroke2.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.6%
Physical Inactivity15.0%
Depression22.8%
Mental Distress16.4%
Physical Distress9.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.8%
Checkup Rate72.6%
Premature Death5,325/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.1/10
Exercise Access99.1%
Healthcare Facilities13,951
Laguna Beach has a violent crime rate of 274 per 100,000 residents, 28% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,977 per 100,000 (1% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Laguna Beach vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent273.8/100K
28% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape17.1/100K
Robbery30.0/100K
Assault226.8/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,976.8/100K
1% above US avg
Burglary419.3/100K
Theft1,454.8/100K
Vehicle Theft102.7/100K
Arson8.6/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)238
FEMA Disasters364

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Laguna Beach has an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 56°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation is 12.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

56°F Jan (14°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average63.1°F
17% above US avg
January Average56°F (14°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall12.7 inches
67% below US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation514 ft (157 m)
Area8.9 sq mi (23.1 km²)
Population Density2,559/sq mi
Coordinates33.5434°N, 117.7618°W
County FIPS06059
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 67.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (99% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 2.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 47.1%
D 49.7%

Winner: Democrat by 2.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+67.1%
99% above US avg
High School+97.4%
School Test Score4.69
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density2,559/sq mi
Total Area8.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations14
Alt Fuel Stations17
Public Libraries67
Healthcare Facilities13,951
Restaurants8,853
Retail Stores9,811

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)238
FEMA Disaster Declarations364
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.3 min
Work from Home33.0%

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